Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's hypertension and bilateral foot disability claims were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.,Service connection for thoracic aortic aneurysm, chest pain, PTSD, lumbar spine arthritis, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral ankle swelling/disability, CAD, prostate cancer, chronic kidney disease, anemia, diabetes mellitus, type II, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and obstructive sleep apnea were all denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded several issues including the rating for PTSD and service connection for lumbosacral strain and chronic headaches. The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is currently rated 70% disabling, but the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's service connection claims for chronic low back pain, left ankle condition, chronic sinusitis, and acid peptic disease (also claimed as gastroenteritis) due to a need for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back condition, diagnosed as lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, finding no link between his current disorder and an event, injury, or disease incurred in service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from engaging in the acts of gainful employment prior to July 25, 2011.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any low back condition, as it may be related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right hip, low back, and left hip disabilities due to unresolved questions regarding their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, right index finger disability, low back disability, skin disability, and sciatica of both lower extremities. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible statements regarding in-service injuries and current diagnoses.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for back, bilateral hip, bilateral foot, and bilateral hand/wrist disorders need to be remanded due to inconsistencies in previous evaluations and consideration of other factors.

The Veteran's combined disability rating of 30 percent effective May 27, 2015 was properly calculated as he had four service-connected disabilities each rated at a 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been received. The issues of service connection for back disability, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are still pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of his current disability levels.

An effective date of December 15, 2008, but not earlier, for the award of a 40 percent rating for a chronic lumbar strain is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding a compensable rating and an effective date for service connection of low back disability. The Veteran's claims are related to his service-connected condition, not exposure to any specific agent or environment.

The reduction from 20 percent to 10 percent for the Veteran's service-connected low back strain, effective January 5, 2015, was improper and a 20 percent rating is restored.,The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine the current state of the Veteran's back condition. The initial rating for right knee strain remains denied.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a back disorder, left knee disorder, left heel/foot disorder, and hypertension due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for thoracolumbar spine disability, left ankle disability, and psychiatric disability due to lack of a VA examination addressing the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has not yet adjudicated the claims and needs to obtain additional medical records, provide VA examinations for the claimed disabilities, and readjudicate the claims. The appeal is being remanded.